Meanings
- not comparablebiologygrowing towards higher concentrations of oxygen
The branches of the main root tend to be aerotropic, whether they are in shallow water or mud or deeply submerged.
1894, American Microscopical Society, Proceedings of the American Microscopical Society3 more examples
According to him, roots are positively aerotropic, a root executing a curvature tending to bring the apex in the direction of the highest oxygen concentration, while pollen tubes growing in water are in this sense negatively aerotropic.
1950, Walter Stiles, An Introduction to the Principles of Plant PhysiologyThe horizontal growth of the roots upon the water is an aerotropic movement determined by the high oxygen-content of the uppermost water-layer.
1921, Frederic Edward Clements, Aeration and Air-content: The Rôle of Oxygen in Root ActivityThe lower portion of this aerotropic root-branch bears numerous laterals which grow downward, in a positively geotropic direction.
1972, Excerpta botanica: Taxonomica et chorologica. Sectio A
Origin
From aero- + -tropic, see also aerotropism.
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with aerotropic
Cite this entry
aerotropic. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aerotropic
“aerotropic.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aerotropic. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “aerotropic,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aerotropic.
Source: aerotropic on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.